236                               Laws of Maryland                       [Ch. 195

288C. CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS.

(a)  Notice of congregational meetings.

Unless otherwise provided by the by-laws of the Parish, notice
of all congregational meetings, and the purpose thereof, shall be in
writing posted at the church door, and shall be publicly announced
in the church or at the church door on two successive Sundays at
least ten days before the day of such meeting by (i) the Rector or
minister in charge, or (ii) any one or more of the Vestrymen then
in office, or (iii) any two or more qualified voters of the Parish,
which said notice shall specify the date, the hour, and place of the
meeting.

(b)  Place of congregational meetings.

Unless otherwise provided by the by-laws of the Parish, all congre-
gational meetings shall be held at such convenient place as may have
been appointed by the Rector, Vestry or qualified voters, as the
case may be, designation of which shall be included in the notice
prescribed by Sub-section (a) of this section SECTION or by the
Parish by-laws.

(c)  Special congregational meetings.

In addition to the first and annual congregational meetings for
the election of Vestrymen, provided by Section 288D of this sub-
heading, it shall be lawful, if it is deemed desirable by the Rector,
or any two or more members of the Vestry, or twenty per centum
(20%) or more of the qualified voters of a Parish, to call a special
congregational meeting for any purpose whatsoever, and notice
thereof shall be given pursuant to Sub-section (a) of this section or
the Parish by-laws.

(d)  Rector to preside — Registrar to be Secretary — delivery of
minutes to Registrar.

When any congregational meeting assembles, unless otherwise pro-
vided by the by-laws of the Parish, the Rector, if present, shall
preside, but if the Rector is absent, then one of the following, in
the order named, shall preside: (i) the Senior Warden; (ii) the
Junior Warden; (iii) the dean of the Vestrymen present; or (iv)
any qualified voter elected by the remaining voters present.

And, the Registrar, if present, shall be the Secretary of such
meeting, but if the Registrar is absent, then the chairman shall
appoint a Secretary from among the qualified voters present.

If the Registrar does not act as secretary of a congregational
meeting, the minutes of such meeting shall be delivered to him as
soon as practicable after the meeting.

288D. ELECTION OF VESTRYMEN AND LAY DELEGATES
—PROCEDURE FOR ADOPTION OF BY-LAWS GENERALLY

(a) First Congregational meeting for election of Vestrymen.

The first congregational meeting of a newly authorized Parish shall
be held on such date as shall be fixed by the prospective Rector, or if
there be none, then by two or more members of the new Parish, notice
of which meeting shall be given in manner and form similar to that
required by the provisions of Section 288C (a) of this sub-heading.